Soniya Tamhankar, Co-President
Soniya Tamhankar is a PhD candidate in Cellular and Molecular Pathology and Co-President of WiSolve Consulting Group. In this role, she leads organizational planning, oversees consultant engagement, and manages the group’s project portfolio. She has experience in primary and secondary market research, competitor analysis, pricing and business development strategy, supporting clients in aligning market insights with business objectives. Through WiSolve, Soniya is eager to continue exploring non-academic career paths and applying her problem-solving skills at the intersection of biotechnology and business.
Michelle Marji, Co-President
Michelle is a 5th year PhD student studying Social Psychology with a focus in Computational Social Science. She studies the intersections between identity, emotion, and human movement. Her research involves modeling human movement, analyzing the effects of synchronous movement, and conducting naturalistic studies. She uses similar methods to investigate human-robot interaction. Michelle's research is grounded in collaboration with computer scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, geographers, artists, and community members. After graduate school, she plans to pursue a career in management consulting.
Tahoe Fiala, Vice President
Tahoe Fiala earned his PhD in Chemistry in 2025. His research is focused on developing novel organic methods for drug development. His most impactful publication was the development of the world’s first asymmetric Paternò–Büchi reaction, followed by his work generalizing the Transposed Paternò–Büchi reaction to provide a complementary way to photochemically access oxetanes. At WiSolve Consulting Group, Tahoe brings his expertise in rigorous scientific research and complex problem-solving to strategic business contexts. He is passionate about bridging the gap between science and industry, with career goals centered on helping life science and technology companies drive innovation. Through consulting, he aims to translate cutting-edge scientific insights into impactful business solutions.
Mikaela Seeman is a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). Her research investigates the structural and biochemical basis of the RNA-binding protein FUBP3 and its interactions with poly-UG RNA and other nucleic acids. As Director of Finance at WiSolve Consulting Group, Mikaela oversees financial planning and resource management while contributing to client projects. She is interested in consulting within the life sciences and biotechnology industries, where she aims to apply her scientific expertise and strategic thinking to support innovation and business growth.
Ying Cao is a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Training Program (NTP) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms of visual segmentation, a fundamental process in visual perception. She investigates how neurons encode multiple stimuli and how these representations transform along the visual pathway. As Director of Professional Development at WiSolve Consulting Group, Ying organizes programs to support consultant growth and skill-building. While still exploring future career paths, she is particularly interested in opportunities in healthcare where she can apply her scientific expertise to impactful real-world challenges.
Usha Polaki, Director of Communications and Technology
Usha Polaki is a PhD candidate in the Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Program. Her research focuses on understanding the tumor-suppressive role of the transcription factor GATA2 in uterine serous carcinoma. As Director of Communications and Technology at WiSolve Consulting Group, Usha manages the organization’s digital presence and oversees communications strategy. She is passionate about bridging science and strategy, with career interests in biotechnology consulting and innovation at the interface of research and business.